According to The Guardian, the number of cases could rise, with the matter now in the hands of the world football governing body's disciplinary committee, which has the power to impose sanctions to the Premier League club.

FIFA rules prohibit international transfers for players under the age of 18 unless their parents emigrate for non-footballing reasons, the player and club are based within 50km of an international border, or the transfer is within the EU or European Economic Area, where the minimum age is 16.

FIFA confirmed the investigation was underway in September this will be the third time Chelsea will be investigated in eight years.

A Chelsea spokesperson is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "Chelsea FC complies with all FIFA statutes and regulations when recruiting players."

La Liga trio Real Madrid, Barcelona and
Atletico Madrid have suffered this a fate in recent years with the three Spanish sides was ban for a signing of minors and each was given a two-window transfer ban, although Real served only one after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).